The Nets starting lineup goes from: PG-D. Harris, SG-K. Dooling, SF-V. Carter, PF-R. Anderson, C-B. Lopez...to...PG-D. Harris, SG-V. Carter, SF-T. Prince, PF: J. Maxiel, C: B. Mullens. It's a downgrade at center, sure, but its an overall lineup upgrade. Plus, it can be argued that Mullens will be better than Lopez in 3/4 years (I don't think so, but many do). And did I mention that they will no longer be paying bobby simmons 11 mil/per to play 10 minutes a game!?

For us, its a win-win. Tayshaun needs to be moved - he simply can't guard LeBron. There's not going to be a need for Jason Maxiel with a better version of Jason Maxiel in Paul Millsap here (does Amir Johnson instead sweeten that deal?). Bobby Simmons contract sucks, but its just one year, we can handle it. BROOK LOPEZ IS GOING TO BE A STUD. He'd be a perfect fit here.

That is my next question.....where are these rumors coming from? or was it posted on some other thread? Until the draft happens, I would not rely on anything anyone says, because we never know what Joe is thinking, who he will select, hire or go after.

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I agree completely. Most of the moves that Joe makes completely blindside me. I'm pretty confident that Joe will make some moves this summer that have never been discussed or considered in the rumor mill or among fans. That's just kind of the way he plays the game.

One of my favorite quotes from the Q & A is Sam's comments where the fan asked about Ben Wallace possibly retiring

Sam: If Wallace were to retire and give up $14 million, it would come off the cap against the Cavs. He is not. His family was instrumental in pushing Ben to the Bulls because the money was so much more than from the Pistons. Ben isn't walking away from the money. He'd like a buyout and, I'm guessing, most of his money. He actually, as we know, retired a few years ago, though his uniform is often out on the court

Mullens/Lopez...advantage detroit, but Mullens was projected to be a #1 overall pick two or three months ago. How big of an advantage is it really?
Prince/Simmons...advantage new jersey. tayshaun's got a reasonable contract and he's a solid player. simmons has an outrageous contract and he sucks.
Maxiel or Amir...oh yeah, you're getting a new starting PF for nothing as well.

Cleveland lost to Orlando not because they stopped LeBron but because the rest of the LeBrons didn't show up to the games. That sort of thing is unpredictable. I still think the smartest strategy is one that takes Bron Bron into account. You cannot stop the man, you can only hope to contain him. Kinda like MJ only bigger. I did think they had a good strategy against him to body him up and not allow for a clear path to the rim everytime down the floor. In order to do that you need size (height AND weight) at the 3.

I like Lopez. We've needed a big man who parks himself around the basket.

Bobby Simmons is the antichrist.

I'm ok with Millsap.

Millsap and Lopez are a kickass young front court. You got two potential double double guys down low, none of this pretty boy 18 footer stuff.

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I don't know. I don't think these moves make us any better than we are now. These are cheap moves. Nothing that has that WOW factor for someone to say the Pistons are back in the Eastern Conference title picture.